Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Health Impacts Of Traffic Related Air Pollution, Amit U. Raysoni, Wen-Wahi Li

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

Ambient air pollution can be a serious cause of concern for any community. Anthropogenic ambient air pollutants can emanate from industries, traffic, geological sources and domestic heating and cooking. However, studies have shown that traffic related air pollution can have far more detrimental health effects than non-combustion sources. These adverse health effects are most profound in sensitive populations like the elderly and young children. The World Health Organization (WHO) attributes more than 300 million deaths every year to ambient air pollution. The WHO’s Air Quality Guidelines (AQG) and the United States Environment Protection Agency’s (USEPA) National Ambient Air Quality Standards …

S2st: A Relational Rdf Database Management System, Anthony T. Piazza

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The explosive growth of RDF data on the Semantic Web drives the need for novel database systems that can efficiently store and query large RDF datasets. To achieve good performance and scalability of query processing, most existing RDF storage systems use a relational database management system as a backend to manage RDF data. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of a Relational RDF Database Management System. Our main research contributions are: (1) We propose a formal model of a Relational RDF Database Management System (RRDBMS), (2) We propose generic algorithms for schema, data and query mapping, (3) …

Utilizing Concept Mapping As A Teaching And Learning Tool To Prepare For The Science Taks Test, Rosa Linda Zuniga

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Concept mapping was used with Donna High School students to determine its effect on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Concept mapping was used with models such as the Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol model (SIOP), the 5- E model, and the Learning Groups model. This measure was taken because the models used have not helped students improve their TAKS scores significantly. The findings of this research reveals that using the process of concept mapping together with the SIOP model helps students clearly see related concepts and motivates them to think more deeply. Students quickly realize what concepts …

Timing Stability Of Millisecond Pulsars And Prospects For Gravitational-Wave Detection, J. P.W. Verbiest, M. Bailes, W. A. Coles, G. B. Hobbs, W. Van Straten, D. J. Champion, Fredrick A. Jenet, R. N. Manchester, N. D.R. Bhat, J. M. Sarkissian

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

The analysis of high-precision timing observations of an array of ∼20 millisecond pulsars (a so-called 'timing array') may ultimately result in the detection of a stochastic gravitational-wave background. The feasibility of such a detection and the required duration of this type of experiment are determined by the achievable rms of the timing residuals and the timing stability of the pulsars involved. We present results of the first long-term, high-precision timing campaign on a large sample of millisecond pulsars used in gravitational-wave detection projects. We show that the timing residuals of most pulsars in our sample do not contain significant low-frequency …

Comparison Of Alpha-Element-Enhanced Simple Stellar Population Models With Milky Way Globular Clusters, Hyun Chul Lee, Guy Worthey, Aaron Dotter

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We present simple stellar population (SSP) models with scaled-solar and α-element-enhanced abundances. The SSP models are based on the Dartmouth Stellar Evolution Database, our library of synthetic stellar spectra, and a detailed systematic variation of horizontal-branch (HB) morphology with age and metallicity. In order to test the relative importance of a variety of SSP model ingredients, we compare our SSP models with integrated spectra of 41 Milky Way globular clusters (MWGCs) from Schiavon etal. Using the Mg b and Ca4227 indices, we confirm that Mg and Ca are enhanced by about +0.4 and +0.2dex, respectively, in agreement with results from …

Characterization Of Arsenic-Tolerant Bacterial Cultures From The Lower Laguna Madre Of South Texas, Gemma A. Berlanga, Michael W. Persans, Thomas Eubanks, Kristine L. Lowe

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Biology)

Two forms of arsenic are found in the environment: As(V) and As(III), the latter being more toxic, water-soluble, and mobile. Microorganisms may increase the mobility of arsenic by reducing As(V) to As(III); however, detoxification and immobilization can occur via the oxidation of As(III) to As(V). The US EPA has set a minimum contaminant level of 10 parts per billion (ppb) for arsenic in drinking water. The research objective was to confirm the presence of arsenic-tolerant bacteria in the Lower Laguna Madre of south Texas. Sediment samples were collected and inoculated into growth media which contained either 2 mM As(III) or …

An Expeditious Synthesis Of 3-Amino B-Lactams Derived From Polyaromatic Compounds, Gildardo Rivera, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Sonam Jaggi, R. Christopher Gonzales, Bimal K. Banik

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

A simple an effective method for the synthesis of a few trans 3-amino B-lactams derived from polyaromatic compounds has been accomplished via the deprotection of phthalimido groups with ethylene diamine.

Indicadores Funcionales Y Estructurales Para Evaluar El Estado De Conservación De Humedales Costeros En El Sur De Tamaulipas, Alejandro Fierro-Cabo

School of Earth, Environmental, & Marine Sciences Faculty Publications

El manejo adecuado de las zonas costeras requiere de herramientas que permitan detectar procesos degradantes en los ecosistemas estratégicos prestadores de servicios ambientales. Los indicadores ecológicos responden adecuadamente a esta necesidad en humedales costeros. Se estudiaron ocho humedales de origen y características distintas, con afectaciones contrastantes conocidas. Se seleccionaron los indicadores que mejor discriminaron los sitios y se utilizaron para evaluar la evolución del estado de conservación de los mismos. La correspondencia ecológica entre indicadores funcionales y estructurales no se confirmó en todos los casos, por lo que es necesario utilizar ambos tipos para obtener un mejor diagnóstico. En dicha …

Subcellular Min Oscillations As A Single-Cell Reporter Of The Action Of Polycations Protamine And Gentamicin On Escherichia Coli, Benjamin P.B. Downing, Andrew D. Rutenberg, Ahmed Touhami, Manfred Jericho

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Background: In Escherichia coli, MinD-GFP fusion proteins show rapid pole to pole oscillations. The objective was to investigate the effects of extracellular cations on the subcellular oscillation of cytoplasmic MinD within Escherichia coli. Methodology/Principal Findings: We exposed bacteria to the extracellular cations Ca++, Mg++, the cationic antimicrobial peptide (CAP) protamine, and the cationic aminoglycoside gentamicin. We found rapid and substantial increases in the average MinD oscillation periods in the presence of any of these polyvalent cations. For Ca++ and Mg++ the increases in period were transient, even with a constant extracellular concentration, while increases in period for protamine or gentamicin …

First Ligo Search For Gravitational Wave Bursts From Cosmic (Super)Strings, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Matthew Benacquista, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, R. Grosso, K. Hayama, H. Lei, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano, Robert Stone

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We report on a matched-filter search for gravitational wave bursts from cosmic string cusps using LIGO data from the fourth science run (S4) which took place in February and March 2005. No gravitational waves were detected in 14.9 days of data from times when all three LIGO detectors were operating. We interpret the result in terms of a frequentist upper limit on the rate of gravitational wave bursts and use the limits on the rate to constrain the parameter space (string tension, reconnection probability, and loop sizes) of cosmic string models. Many grand unified theory-scale models (with string tension ��⁢��/��2≈10−6) …

Search For Gravitational Wave Ringdowns From Perturbed Black Holes In Ligo S4 Data, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Matthew Benacquista, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, R. Grosso, K. Hayama, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano, Robert Stone, Lappoon R. Tang

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

According to general relativity a perturbed black hole will settle to a stationary configuration by the emission of gravitational radiation. Such a perturbation will occur, for example, in the coalescence of a black hole binary, following their inspiral and subsequent merger. At late times the waveform is a superposition of quasinormal modes, which we refer to as the ringdown. The dominant mode is expected to be the fundamental mode, l=m=2. Since this is a well-known waveform, matched filtering can be implemented to search for this signal using LIGO data. We present a search for gravitational waves from black hole ringdowns …

A Search For Periodic Gravitational Waves From Three Recycled Pulsars Using The Auriga Detector, A. Mion, M. J. Benacquista, M. Kramer, P. P.C. Freire, A. Possenti

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Aims.We report on a search for continuous gravitational wave emission from three recycled radio pulsars, performed by using the data of the resonant detector AURIGA. Given the spin rate of the selected targets - the isolated pulsar PSR J1939+2134 and the binary pulsars PSR J0024-7204J and PSR J0218+4232 - the expected frequency of the emitted gravitational waves falls in the high sensitivity range of the detector. Methods.The main topic is the method, meaning that the statistical analysis is performed by implementing a slightly modified version of the Feldman and Cousins Unified Approach. Results.By using ephemerides provided by suitable radio observations …

Einstein@Home Search For Periodic Gravitational Waves In Early S5 Ligo Data, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, R. Adhikari, Teviet Creighton, Matthew Benacquista, Mario C. Diaz, Soma Mukherjee, Soumya D. Mohanty, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

This paper reports on an all-sky search for periodic gravitational waves from sources such as deformed isolated rapidly spinning neutron stars. The analysis uses 840 hours of data from 66 days of the fifth LIGO science run (S5). The data were searched for quasimonochromatic waves with frequencies f in the range from 50 to 1500 Hz, with a linear frequency drift ḟ (measured at the solar system barycenter) in the range -f/τ<ḟ<0.1f/τ, for a minimum spin-down age τ of 1000 years for signals below 400 Hz and 8000 years above 400 Hz. The main computational work of the search was distributed over approximately 100000 computers volunteered by the general public. This large computing power allowed the use of a relatively long coherent integration time of 30 hours while searching a large parameter space. This search extends Einstein@Home's previous search in LIGO S4 data to about 3 times better sensitivity. No statistically significant signals were found. In the 125-225 Hz band, more than 90% of sources with dimensionless gravitational-wave strain tensor amplitude greater than 3×10-24 would have been detected. © 2009 The American Physical Society.

Effects Of Adding An Enhanced Material Instructional Model To A Collaborative Grouping Instructional Strategy In A College Preparatory Chemistry Course, Chinyere Fidelia Shaw-Nnajiofor

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This research study investigated comparable academic achievement outcomes between an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG) in a college preparatory chemistry course using a mixture of instructional pedagogies. The subjects comprised native and non-native English speakers, often identified as Limited English Proficiency (LEP) students. The study found no statistically significant difference between the pre-test scores of EG and CG students and a significant difference between the post-test scores of students in the experimental group compared to those of the control group. No significant difference was observed when comparing the test scores of the post-tests of the LEP-EG students …

A Dna Approach To The Road-Coloring Problem, Arindam Roy

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

The Road-Coloring Problem in graph theory can be stated as follows: Is any irreducible aperiodic directed graph with constant outdegree 2 road-colorable? In other words, does such a graph have a synchronizing instruction? That is to say: can we label (or color) the two outgoing edges at each vertex, one with “b” or blue color and the other with “r” or red color, in such a manner that there will be an instruction in the form of a finite sequence in “b”s and “r”s (example: rrbrbbbr) such that this instruction will lead each vertex to the same “target” vertex? This …

Analytical And Computational Studies Of Magneto-Convection In Solidifying Mushy Layer, Mallikarjunaiah Siddapura Muddamallappa

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Natural convection in solidifying binary media is of great interest due to it's applications in material processing and crystal growth industries. Convective flows between the layers of melt during alloy solidification is known to produce mechanical imperfections such as freckle's. Hence it is important to investigate the criterion for freckling and discover the means of suppressing it. A mushy layer, which has both solid and fluid components and is formed between underlying solid and overlying liquid, is known to produce chimneys, which are narrow, vertical vents, devoid of solid. We consider the problem of magneto-convection in a horizontal mushy layer …

Two-Dimensional Wigner-Ville Transforms And Their Basic Properties, Bheemaiah Veena Shankara Narayana Rao

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This thesis deals with Wigner-Ville transforms and their basic properties. The Wigner-Ville transforms are a non-linear transform which constitute an important tool in nonstationary signal analysis. Wigner-Ville transforms in one dimension and their basic properties are discussed here. Special attention is given to formulation of two dimensional Wigner-Ville transform, its inversion formula and some of their basic properties. Some applications of Wigner-Ville transforms are also briefly discussed.

Reaction-Diffusion Systems With A Nonlinear Rate Of Growth, Yubing Wan

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In the literature there are quite a few elegant approaches which have been proposed to find (he first integrals of nonlinear differential equations. Recently, the modified Prelle-Singer method for finding the first integrals of second-order nonlinear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) has attracted considerable attention. Many researchers used this method to derive the first integrals to various systems. In this thesis, we are concerned with the first integrals for reaction-diffusion systems with a nonlinear rate of growth. Under certain parametric conditions we express the first integrals explicitly by applying an analytical method as well as the modified Prelle-Singer method.

Integrable Equations With Non-Smooth Solitons, Xianqi Li

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

In this thesis, we present a class of integrable equations with non-smooth soliton solutions. In particular, we derive the bi-Hamiltonian structure and Lax pair of the equation pt = bux + \[{u2 — u1)p]x,p = u — uxx, which guarantee its integrability. Another interesting integrable equation we study is (=Jff!i)t = 2uux, which is exactly the first member of the negative KdV hierarchy. Through traveling wave setting arid phase step analysis, we obtain non-smooth soliton solutions of these integrable equations under different boundary condition at infinities. These equations were shown to have peaked soliton (peakon), "W/M-shape" peakon or cusped soliton …

Observation Of A Kilogram-Scale Oscillator Near Its Quantum Ground State, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, R. Adhikari, P. Ajith, B. Allen, G. Allen, Mario C. Diaz, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Joseph D. Romano

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We introduce a novel cooling technique capable of approaching the quantum ground state of a kilogram-scale system-an interferometric gravitational wave detector. The detectors of the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory (LIGO) operate within a factor of 10 of the standard quantum limit (SQL), providing a displacement sensitivity of 10-18 m in a 100 Hz band centered on 150 Hz. With a new feedback strategy, we dynamically shift the resonant frequency of a 2.7 kg pendulum mode to lie within this optimal band, where its effective temperature falls as low as 1.4μK, and its occupation number reaches about 200 quanta. This work …

Excess Of Glucocorticoid Induces Cardiac Dysfunction Via Activating Angiotensin Ii Pathway, Sreerupa Ghose Roy, Priyanka De, Debasri Mukherjee, Vivek Chander, Aditya Konar, Debasish Bandyopadhyay, Arun Bandyopadhyay

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

Background: Glucocorticoid is widely used as an anti-inflammatory drug in various diseases however excess of it often causes cardiovascular complications. The present study was undertaken to understand the molecular mechanism of glucocorticoid-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Methods: Rats were treated daily with synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone with or without mifepristone or losartan up to 15 days. Hemodynamic parameters were measured by PV-loop method using Millar's instrument. Cardiac remodelling, fibrosis and oxidative stress were monitored after 15 days.

Results: The systolic blood pressure was increased whereas the heart beat and cardiac output (n=6) were decreased by dexamethasone. Dexamethasone caused increase in the heart …

Search For Gravitational Waves From Low Mass Binary Coalescences In The First Year Of Ligo’S S5 Data, B. P. Abbott, R. Abbott, Matthew Benacquista, Teviet Creighton, Mario C. Diaz, R. Grosso, K. Hayama, H. Lei, Soumya Mohanty, Soma Mukherjee, Malik Rakhmanov, Joseph D. Romano, Robert Stone

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

We have searched for gravitational waves from coalescing low mass compact binary systems with a total mass between 2M⊙ and 35M⊙ and a minimum component mass of 1M⊙ using data from the first year of the fifth science run of the three LIGO detectors, operating at design sensitivity. Depending on the mass, we are sensitive to coalescences as far as 150 Mpc from the Earth. No gravitational-wave signals were observed above the expected background. Assuming a population of compact binary objects with a Gaussian mass distribution representing binary neutron star systems, black hole–neutron star binary systems, and binary black hole …

Analysis Of Rotating Flow Around A Growing Protein Crystal, Daniel N. Riahi, Charles W. Obare

School of Mathematical & Statistical Sciences Faculty Publications

We consider the problem of steady flow around a growing protein crystal in a medium of its solution in a normal gravity environment. The whole flow system is assumed to be rotating with a constant angular velocity about a vertical axis which is anti-parallel to the gravity vector. Convective flow takes place due to the solute depletion around the growing crystal which leads to a buoyancy driven flow. Such convective flow can produce inhomogeneous solute concentration, which subsequently generate non-uniformities in the crystal’s structure finalizing lower quality protein crystal. Using scaling analysis within a diffusion boundary layer around the crystal, …

Luminescent Properties Of Ensemble And Individual Erbium-Doped Yttrium Oxide Nanotubes, Yuanbing Mao, Xia Guo, Thai Tran, Kang L. Wang, C. Ken Shih, Jane P. Chang

School of Integrative Biological & Chemical Sciences (Formerly Dept. of Chemistry)

The luminescent properties, including cathodoluminescence and photoluminescence, of the erbium-doped yttrium oxide (Er3+: Y2 O3) nanotubes (NTs) have been systematically studied. These NTs were synthesized by a hydrothermal treatment followed by a dehydration process. Cathodoluminescent measurements show that every Er3+: Y2 O3 NT is luminescent under electron excitation. In the near-infrared region, sharp, well-resolved, pump-power-dependent, and thermally stable photoluminescence was observed from ensemble NTs. Individual NTs also present characteristic luminescent emissions in the same spectral region. These properties make these NTs promising for applications in display, bioanalysis, and telecommunication.

Synthesis And Characterization Of Two Metal-Organic Frameworks, Roxanna Schaffino Moore

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Herein, the design and synthesis of two metal-organic frameworks, Zn 4O(FMA)3 (FMA = fumaric acid) and Zn2(CNC) 2(DPT) (CNC = 4-carboxycinnamic acid; DPT = 3,6-Di-4-pyridy1-1,2,4,5-tetrazine) via solvothermal methods are reported. Zn4O(FMA)3 was isolated as light yellow cubic crystals and Zn2(CNC)2(DPT) as light pink-block shaped crystals. The structures of both MOFs were characterized by single X-ray diffraction. Integrity of both MOFs were determined via powder X-ray diffraction and thermal gravimetric analysis. Zn4O(FMA) 3 is an isoreticular MOF exhibiting 6.8 Å pores taking up 5.2 wt % of hydrogen gas at 40 bar and 77K. Zn2(CNC)2(DPT) is a 3D primative cubic net …

Completing Chemistry Taks Objective 4(9d): The Effect Of Flash Animation, Judith B. Dano

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the effect of flash animation on learning effectiveness. The main goal of the study was to verify if using flash animation on learning chemistry concepts particularly Chemistry TAKS Objective 4 (9D) will have an impact on students learning achievement. The subjects in this study were 10th grade students from PSJA Memorial High School. Two class sections were randomly assigned as the treatment group each with 20 subjects (n=40) and another two class sections were assigned as the control group (n=40). The treatment group was exposed to flash animation while the control group had the traditional lecture type …

Electrospinning Polystyrene Reinforced With Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: Parameters For Obtaining Nanofibers With Enhanced Thermal Properties, Ana Veronica Rodriguez Ybarra

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Various concentrations of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were dispersed in a polystyrene matrix in order to determine the optimal MWCNT concentration that would enhance the thermal properties of the composite. The MWCNTs were dispersed in the polystyrene matrix by high energy sonication and then electrospun. The microstructural characterization such as fiber diameter, fiber orientation, fiber morphology, porosity, cross-section shape, and surface roughness of the nanofibers electrospun from these composites were made by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Spectroscopic characterization for these nanofibers was conducted using Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy was utilized to establish a nanotube/matrix …

A Comparative Study Of Risk Factors Involved In Diabetes Between Texas And Other States, Andres Padilla Oviedo

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

Diabetes is a serious concern in the United States and Texas is a state with high percentage of diabetes. The risk factors contributing to diabetes are current smoking, high blood cholesterol, hypertension, physical inactivity etc. In this thesis, we would like to identify the crucial risk factors for Texas. This motivates us to use the online data resources for a comparative study between Texas and other states. Looking at the data, we decide to use independent sample t-tests and independent sample non parametric tests [Wilcoxon Mann Whitney] for such comparative studies. This analysis has two parts – in the first …

Impact Of Flash Animation In Learning Concepts Of Matter Among Elementary Students, Rhodora S. Santos

Theses and Dissertations - UTB/UTPA

This study examines the instructional effect of flash animation on students' achievement in learning specific concepts of matter. The subjects used in this study were 5th-grade students of the researcher from Dan Ramirez Elementary. Each class or section of these students was randomly assigned as the control group (n = 20) and the experimental group (n =20). The subjects in the control group were exposed to traditional textbook reading while the subjects in the experimental group were exposed to flash animation. To measure the students' achievement from the concepts learned, a pre-test and a post test were both administered to …

Tempo2: A New Pulsar Timing Package - Iii. Gravitational Wave Simulation, G. Hobbs, F. Jenet, K. J. Lee, J. P.W. Verbiest, D. Yardley, R. Manchester, A. Lommen, W. Coles, R. Edwards, C. Shettigara

Physics & Astronomy Faculty Publications

Analysis of pulsar timing data sets may provide the first direct detection of gravitational waves. This paper, the third in a series describing the mathematical framework implemented into the TEMPO2 pulsar timing package, reports on using TEMPO2 to simulate the timing residuals induced by gravitational waves. The TEMPO2 simulations can be used to provide upper bounds on the amplitude of an isotropic, stochastic, gravitational wave background in our Galaxy and to determine the sensitivity of a given pulsar timing experiment to individual, supermassive, binary black hole systems. © 2009 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2009 RAS.